Module 28: Expected Development in Middle Adulthood Flashcards
What stage of adulthood are the people who are in their prime?
Middle-Aged people are in their prime
What do individuals who score the highest in the study of Schaie tend to have?
Individuals who scored the highest in the study of Schaie tended to have high educational levels, flexible personalities, intact families, pursue cognitively complex occupations and other activities, to be married to someone more cognitively advanced, to be satisfied with their accomplishments
Fluid Intelligence
+ ability to solve novel problems, such as problems that require little or no previous knowledge
+peak in young adulthood
+ many older adults perform in the real world at high levels despite declines in fluid intelligence
Crystallized Intelligence
+ ability to remember and use information acquired over a lifetime, such as academics
+ increase through middle age and often until the end of life
What do mature adults show increasing competence in?
Mature adults show increasing competence in solving problems in their chosen field
Specialized Knowledge or Expertise
form of crystallized intelligence that is related to the process of encapsulation
Why do adults not usually depend on the brain’s information-processing-machinery?
Adults do not usually depend on the brain’s information-processing-machinery because some adult’s fluid intelligence becomes encapsulated (dedicated in handling specific kinds of knowledge)
How can expert thinking be described?
Expert thinking often seems automatic and intuitive
What is a characteristic of postformal thought?
Such intuitive, experience-based thinking is also a characteristic of Postformal Thought
What is an important feature of postformal thought?
An important feature of postformal thought is its integrative nature – adults interpret what they read, see, or hear in terms of its meaning for them
Phased Retirement
people reduce works hours or days, gradually moving into retirement over a number of years
Bridge Employment
switching to another company or new line of work
How can work improve the cognitive abilities of adults?
If work, both on job and home, could be made meaningful and challenging, more adults might retain or improve cognitive abilities
What do employers say about the benefits of workplace education?
Employers see benefits of workplace education in improved morale, increased quality of work, better teamwork and problem solving, and greater ability to
cope with new technology and other changes in workplace
Literacy
fundamental requisite for participation not only in the workplace but in all facets of a modern, information-driven society
Religion
organized set of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols that increases an individual’s connection to a sacred or transcendent other
Religiousness
degree of affiliation with an organized religion, participation in its rituals and practices
Spirituality
involves experiencing something beyond oneself in transcendent manner
What biological sex shows stronger interest in religion and spirituality: women or men?
Women have consistently shown stronger interest in religion and spirituality than men
What are the three most distinct human qualities according to Viktor Frankl?
Viktor Frankl said that the three most distinct human qualities are spirituality, freedom, and responsibility
Spirituality
in Viktor Frankl’s view, refers to a human being’s uniqueness of spirit, philosophy, and mind
According to Victor Frankl, how can a sense of meaning in life help somebody?
Having a sense of meaning in life can lead to clearer guidelines for living one’s life and enhanced motivation to take care of oneself and reach goals
What are the four main needs for meaning that guide how people try to make sense of their lives according to Viktor Frankl?
- Need for Purpose
- Need for Values
- Need for a sense of efficacy
- Need for Self-Worth
Need for Purpose
goals and fulfillments
Need for Values
enable people to decide whether certain acts are right or wrong
Need for a sense of efficacy
belief that they can control their environment
Selective Optimization with Compensation
enhancing overall cognitive functioning by using stronger abilities to compensate for those that have weakened
Selecting
fewer and more meaningful activities or goals
Optimizing
the resources they have to achieve their goals
Compensating
using resources in alternative ways to achieve their goals
